Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator.

“I am very pleased that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Kathryn Sullivan as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dr. Sullivan brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as both acting and deputy NOAA administrator, as well as performing the duties of NOAA’s chief scientist. She is also an accomplished astronaut, becoming the first American woman to walk in space during her 15-year tenure at NASA.

NOAA has a crucial mission, from daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings to coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, and the data the agency produces power a multi-billion dollar weather enterprise in the private sector. I look forward to working with Dr. Sullivan to develop next generation climate observing systems and maintain world-leader weather forecasting capabilities, two key priorities in the Commerce Department’s “Open for Business Agenda.” I have every confidence in Dr. Sullivan’s ability to continue leading NOAA’s team of more than 12,000 employees, whose work around the globe touches the lives of every American.”